While both the Nigerian government and the nation’s growers are beginning to realize the importance and economic viability of agriculture, one area that is still largely neglected is mushroom farming which is worth millions of dollars in the global food market.
Mushroom cultivation in Europe and Asia (particularly India and China) is growing gradually as an alternative source of income for many people. But, in Africa, particularly Nigeria, it is still allowed to grow like weed in the wild instead of being properly cultivated and harvested for food and commercial purposes.
Mushrooms are fairly easy to grow. An oyster mushroom takes about six weeks from start to harvest. Nigeria is abundantly blessed with the dark loamy soil that is best suitable for mushrooms cultivation. Also, mushrooms are easy to grow indoors, especially because they don’t require light. Cremini, enoki, maitake, portobello, oyster, shiitake, and white button mushrooms can all be grown indoors, but each type has specific growing needs. For example, white button mushrooms need to be grown on composted manure, shiitakes on wood or hardwood sawdust, and oyster mushrooms on straw.
Source: idomavoice.com
